What is SAT?

The SAT is a standardized test meant to show schools how prepared you are for college by measuring key skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. Because so many students take the test, it also provides schools with data about how you compare to your peers nationwide.

You’ll almost certainly need to take the SAT or ACT if you’re applying to any colleges or universities in the United States, since most require you to submit test scores with your application. Depending on where you want to apply, your ACT or SAT score can account for as much as 50% of the admission decision, so a strong standardized test score is vital.

The ideal time to take the SAT for the first time is usually in winter of your junior year, when you’ve covered most of the material in school, but you still have time to take it again

Classes Starting in Fall, 2018 for SAT and PSAT

SAT test length:

Section

Order on Test

Total # of Questions

Total Time (Minutes)

Reading

1

52

65

Break 1

2

—

10

Writing and Language

3

44

35

Math No Calculator

4

20

25

Break 2

5

—

5

Math Calculator

6

38

55

Break 3

7

—

2

Essay (Optional)

8

1

50

The number of questions on each SAT section and approximate time to answer each question: